Parsons misses his second game in a row tonight

The Dallas Mavericks’ small forward desperately wanted to play in tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic, especially since he has so many family members and friends who had circled this game as soon as the schedule came out last August. So Parsons hopped on the team bus, hoping his body would feel better once he got to the Amway Center.

But those same nasty feelings in Parsons’ body which kept him out of Friday’s game in Miami are still with him today. Thus, the four-year veteran will not play tonight against the Magic, but hopes to be ready to play in Monday’s home game against Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Parsons is taking an IV and drinking plenty of fluids to try and help get his body back up to speed.

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"I was great by shootaround (Friday), I shot afterwards with coach, went back and took my little pre-game nap and I just kind of came out of no where,’’ Parsons said. "I had the chills, was sweating, was freezing and (the vomiting) wouldn’t stop.

"It’s much better now, but I haven’t eaten since breakfast (Friday), really, (other than) a couple of bites of a sandwich. But I’m not hungry.’’

Asked to track the source of his illness, Parsons said: "The last thing I ate was just a normal breakfast. I had a normal omelette, fruit – nothing out of the ordinary.

"Was it something I ate, a stomach bug or something, I have no idea, but it was bad.’’

The flip side of all this is that tonight’s contest against the Magic is a homecoming game for Parsons, who graduated from high school at Lake Howell in nearby Winter Park, Fla.

"It’s always a fun place and one of the most special places to play,’’ Parsons said. "Every time I come here I just always have all my family and high school, middle school, elementary school friends – I went to school 10 minutes from the arena.

"It’s disappointing, but this part of it and I obviously didn’t plan it.’’

Richard Jefferson started in Parsons’ place during Friday’s 93-72 win over the Heat. Parsons, meanwhile, can’t wait to get back on the court.

"I’m a little bit better today, but I still haven’t eaten much and I’m pretty dehydrated,’’ he said. "So I’ll take tonight off and hopefully be ready to play by Monday.’’